Unboxing
Like something from an old ’70s movie, the Model 57 came to me in a classy wooden box lined with velvet. I opened it to see the deep blue shine from old world traditions.
Picking up the 57 was a little walk down memory lane for me. Its large size was probably proportional in my hand to my father’s old Smith that I held with much smaller hands years ago.
The Model 57 is a six-shot double-action revolver with a steel frame and an 8.375-inch barrel. The grip is made from traditional walnut, and the whole unit is finished in a classic glossy blued finish.
I cracked open the cylinder to see how it looked inside. Clean chambers and a smooth roll of the cylinder followed by a snap of the ejector plunger were all I needed. I was quickly becoming enamored with this gun, but the crystal-clean break of the trigger was what really got me excited. I knew I was going to like this revolver with all these classic features and quality that’s harder to come by these days.
The .41 Remington Magnum
It’s not .44 Magnum, but it’s a whole lot more than .357 Magnum for sure. The .41 has been around since the early 1960s. You might call it a pet project with a specialist purpose to fulfill law enforcement needs. The mighty .41 pushes 210-grain bullets as fast as 1,500 fps when loaded to full power, though there are some lighter bullets and softer loads.
The hard part, I found out, was going to be getting hands on some of these cartridges, as they sure don’t seem to show up at the local mercantile.
I was beginning to think the .41 was going to be the .40 S&W of the wheel gun world. But luckily, I found a box of HSM Cowboy 210-grain loads at a store a couple counties over. The 210-grain wadcutters were loaded in Starline .41 Mag brass. I wish I knew what powder they had inside. It produced some authentic smoke, seemingly from a time long past.
Specs
- Caliber: .41 Remington Magnum
- Capacity: Six rounds
- Barrel length: 8.375 inches
- Trigger: SA/DA
- Grips: Walnut
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Frame: Blued steel
Range Time
With my ammo and the Model 57 in my pocket, I headed to the range. I’d brought a sheet of cardboard to see how the pistol shot on a target, which I set up at about 10 yards.
I loaded the cylinder and snapped it shut. I’d never shot a .41 Magnum before, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. As it turns out, the wheel gun purred like a kitten. Perhaps a little unsure of what to expect, for my first few shots I was more focused on my grip and function than shooting well.
After a few more rounds, I became quite accustomed to the recoil and feel of the Model 57 and got right back to aiming a little tighter. I was very happy with the handgun’s performance. It seemed like it would have been quite the potent pistol if you were in a spot that required one.
Pretending I was one of the lawmen at the famous corral came pretty easily,. With its smooth action and aiming, the Model 57 was a great tool in the hands. The long barrel was a little longer to bring on target, but the wide sight radius sure made it easy to point and hit my point of aim.
The incredibly clean trigger sure made it easy to break right where you wanted it to. The 210-grain bullets grouped around 2 inches at 10 yards. I’m curious if that is the best the pistol will shoot, or if it would have liked a different load better.
I get the feeling that they weren’t particularly hot loads, as they were very easy to pop out using the ejector. I spent the afternoon stuffing chubby cartridges into the cylinder and turning them into spent brass.
Pros & Cons
I’ll be honest – I can’t imagine someone buying a pistol like this without wanting something just like it. So, I’m not sure I can really come up with a downside to this pistol. If you twisted my arm, I guess I could say the ammo sourcing is an issue. But if I were going to be a serious .41 Remington Mag guy, I would load my own.
The good news is far more interesting. The excellent trigger and smooth operation are outstanding. Everything about the finish is classic and handsome, and the old wood looks beautiful and feels great in the hand. Both the single and double action of the pistol allow you to shoot the gun well, and the accuracy is just what I would expect from a pistol like this.
I image this pistol would be a perfect companion for a mountain hounds man chasing cougars and black bears. It’s certainly big enough for the job, but it’s also much smaller than most any rifle. You could tuck the pistol into a holster under your shoulder while hiking and chasing the bay of hyper hounds.
Shooting a big cat or bear from a tree with the Model 57 would be an easy chore. The accuracy would be handy, and those big bullets would make short work of most predators.
Pros:
- Excellent trigger and smooth action
- Classic, handsome finish
- Accuracy as expected
- Powerful but easy to use
Cons:
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Uncommon caliber
Final Thoughts
Much like the old Smith & Wesson I yearned for as a youth, the Model 57 hits a certain spot for me. It may not be a stiff competitor for more modern revolvers, at least when it comes to features and functions. But it certainly carries the power needed for most any pistol task.
Besides the hunting scenario I outlined above, the Model 57 and the .41 Magnum could easily find other purposes for you. But keep in mind the things like ammunition availability and component procurement. I would strongly recommend handloading for the pistol if you decide to buy one, to avoid running into these issues.
With an MSRP of under $1,200, it’s not unreasonably priced, making it an option for those looking for something classy and unique. I would love to have this pistol in my lineup. If you feel the same way, browse the selection of pistols we have here at GUNS.com to find just what you need.
